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| Rowan Williams issues warning over women bishops vote | Rowan Williams issues warning over women bishops vote |
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| The Church of England risks entering a period of "intensified internal conflict" that could prove "publicly embarrassing and internally draining" if it votes against landmark legislation to allow women to become bishops, the Archbishop of Canterbury has warned. | The Church of England risks entering a period of "intensified internal conflict" that could prove "publicly embarrassing and internally draining" if it votes against landmark legislation to allow women to become bishops, the Archbishop of Canterbury has warned. |
| At the start of a last-ditch campaign to force through the measure that has divided the Church for more than a decade, Rowan Williams addressed those who remain undecided on whether to vote for or against, despite a re-wording of the legislation by bishops aimed at reconciling those on either side of the debate. | At the start of a last-ditch campaign to force through the measure that has divided the Church for more than a decade, Rowan Williams addressed those who remain undecided on whether to vote for or against, despite a re-wording of the legislation by bishops aimed at reconciling those on either side of the debate. |
| Williams, for whom passing the draft legislation at the General Synod next month would mark a significant valedictory triumph before his resignation at the end of the year, defended the measure in the Church Times, arguing that both opponents and supporters of women bishops who have reservations about the legislation should ask themselves whether delaying the vote would be likely to yield a better result. | Williams, for whom passing the draft legislation at the General Synod next month would mark a significant valedictory triumph before his resignation at the end of the year, defended the measure in the Church Times, arguing that both opponents and supporters of women bishops who have reservations about the legislation should ask themselves whether delaying the vote would be likely to yield a better result. |
| Despite a newly amended draft crafted by the House of Bishops over the summer and presented in September, there remain significant pockets of the Church's voting body who, Williams said, thought the measure in its current form was still "not quite good enough, or not quite simple enough". Those who have always argued that women bishops are a theological impossibility remain implacably opposed, with the Anglo-Catholic group Forward in Faith and conservative evangelical group Reform both coming out against. | Despite a newly amended draft crafted by the House of Bishops over the summer and presented in September, there remain significant pockets of the Church's voting body who, Williams said, thought the measure in its current form was still "not quite good enough, or not quite simple enough". Those who have always argued that women bishops are a theological impossibility remain implacably opposed, with the Anglo-Catholic group Forward in Faith and conservative evangelical group Reform both coming out against. |
| Perhaps more worrying for Lambeth Palace, however, the campaign group Women and the Church (Watch), which has been vigorously lobbying for women to enter the episcopate for years, has said that its members are divided over the issue and that, as a consequence, it is not taking a position. | Perhaps more worrying for Lambeth Palace, however, the campaign group Women and the Church (Watch), which has been vigorously lobbying for women to enter the episcopate for years, has said that its members are divided over the issue and that, as a consequence, it is not taking a position. |
| If the measure is voted down next month, the issue will be effectively killed off for years, with another vote not possible for a decade. Williams, who has never made any secret of his desire to see women break through the stained glass ceiling, said on Friday he hoped the Synod would recognise the sense of urgency surrounding the issue and act accordingly. | If the measure is voted down next month, the issue will be effectively killed off for years, with another vote not possible for a decade. Williams, who has never made any secret of his desire to see women break through the stained glass ceiling, said on Friday he hoped the Synod would recognise the sense of urgency surrounding the issue and act accordingly. |
| "Voting against the legislation risks committing us to a period of continued and perhaps intensified internal conflict with no clearly guaranteed outcome," he wrote. "Of course those who believe that the episcopal ministry of women is simply contrary to God's will for the Church of England will vote against, and there should be no unfair pressure on clear consciences. They are voting for what they truly believe is God's purpose for his Church. | "Voting against the legislation risks committing us to a period of continued and perhaps intensified internal conflict with no clearly guaranteed outcome," he wrote. "Of course those who believe that the episcopal ministry of women is simply contrary to God's will for the Church of England will vote against, and there should be no unfair pressure on clear consciences. They are voting for what they truly believe is God's purpose for his Church. |
| "But for those who find it not quite good enough or not quite simple enough, the question must be, 'What are you voting for if you vote against this Measure?' And what if you decide that that the answer is, uncomfortably, a period of publicly embarrassing and internally draining indecision?" | "But for those who find it not quite good enough or not quite simple enough, the question must be, 'What are you voting for if you vote against this Measure?' And what if you decide that that the answer is, uncomfortably, a period of publicly embarrassing and internally draining indecision?" |
| After years of division, the measure allowing women bishops was all set to be passed by the Synod when it met in York in July. But, following a last-minute amendment added by the house of Bishops in the spring, even supporters of the move felt they could not vote for the measure, and instead supported an adjournment. | After years of division, the measure allowing women bishops was all set to be passed by the Synod when it met in York in July. But, following a last-minute amendment added by the house of Bishops in the spring, even supporters of the move felt they could not vote for the measure, and instead supported an adjournment. |
| Over the summer, the bishops re-worded a clause which Williams admitted had caused "real hurt and offence" among many in the Church, and came up with what has since been dubbed the "Appleby amendment" after the Reverend Janet Appleby, a vicar from North Tyneside. It said that male bishops and priests appointed to minister to parishes opposed to women bishops should be chosen in a way which respects the reasons why they were requested. | Over the summer, the bishops re-worded a clause which Williams admitted had caused "real hurt and offence" among many in the Church, and came up with what has since been dubbed the "Appleby amendment" after the Reverend Janet Appleby, a vicar from North Tyneside. It said that male bishops and priests appointed to minister to parishes opposed to women bishops should be chosen in a way which respects the reasons why they were requested. |
| Opponents of women bishops have said the wording does not make enough provision for them, while some supporters say it still makes too much. Williams wrote: "The truth is that the word does have legal content. If you're required to show 'respect', you need to be able to demonstrate that what you do takes account in practice of someone's conviction. You will need to show that it has made a difference to how you act; it doesn't just recommend an attitude or state of mind ('with all due respect…'). The word leaves enough flexibility for appropriate responses to different circumstances, but it isn't so general as to be toothless." | Opponents of women bishops have said the wording does not make enough provision for them, while some supporters say it still makes too much. Williams wrote: "The truth is that the word does have legal content. If you're required to show 'respect', you need to be able to demonstrate that what you do takes account in practice of someone's conviction. You will need to show that it has made a difference to how you act; it doesn't just recommend an attitude or state of mind ('with all due respect…'). The word leaves enough flexibility for appropriate responses to different circumstances, but it isn't so general as to be toothless." |
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